"Why am I here when you're the one undergoing the tests?" Cara sighed as she watched her husband change into the given hospital robe."You orchestrated it," he replied, throwing on the cloth. "This is your punishment."She leaned back, watching the as it fell over his toned legs. "Well, I'm not complaining," A satisfied purr slipping from her lips, as she closed the distance between them with a deliberate sway of her hips. Her hand caught the hem just before it fell completely, the other slipping under to caress his well-sculpted abs. "I get to see this." Adonis stiffened as she moved downwards, brushing over his thigh, dangerously close to his member, "and this." She pressed."Stop teasing me, Bel," he growled, his voice suddenly husky as he pulled her closer."Me? That's a false alarm. I would never do that to you.""You spoilt brat!" He grabbed both of her hands above her head, pushing her against the wall and, without warning, crashed lips against hers, hard and fast."I..." He
Cara's POV The line rang once, twice, and then he picked up."Hello?" "Cara?" Dr. Bruno's calm voice came through the phone, yet I wasn't deceived. I knew it was a situation control skill; he wouldn't have sent me the text if this wasn't serious."I missed your call... you said to call ASAP. Are the test results fine? Is anything wrong?""Nothing much... all is fine. He has a mild fever, and some muscles seem to be functioning below optimum; from his hormone levels, I believe he's a little stressed. Does he get tired easily?"I thought back on the last few days, "He rarely sleeps... an hour or three max. Could that be the reason?"I had thought it was due to all that was going on.Dr. Bruno sighed, "Can I talk to someone else? Adonis preferably, or another family member?"My heart skipped a beat. What is he trying to say?"You know Adonis wouldn't care to listen. He has no one else but me. You can say it." I sat on the bed. "Just tell me. I'm ready.""I think it's better if we see
Cara POV"I am going to kill Bruno." Was the first thing I heard as I blinked my eyes open."Is he crazy? She's pregnant! How could he deliver such news to her over the phone—at all even!" I heard my husband growl in anger. He paused for a while, then spoke again."I don't know what he said. Cecelia said the only thing Cara said before passing out was, 'Adonis is sick.'" He paused again. "I don't know! I do not feel sick. I am perfectly healthy, Luca."Oh... Luca was on the other end. He must've said something touchy because the next thing that came out of Adonis's mouth was a string of curse words."I don't care what anyone says or does. If you see Bruno, tell him to stay away from me because I will break his legs."Seeing as I'd heard enough threats for one day, I decided to announce my consciousness."If you do that, it'll be hard for him to perform surgery on you."Adonis's head turned so fast that I feared he might get a whiplash. He hung up the call, stalking towards me."What
Cara's POVSilence hung heavily in the room, the thick smell of antiseptic, suffocating despite being in an office. The leather chair felt as cold as the diagnosis made me feel as my husband and I took in Doctor Bruno's last words to us. Our lives felt like a labyrinth of chaos; with every step we took forward, there was more trouble waiting to jump in our faces.It seemed like there was no end to this.Adonis's sickness seemed too convenient, just like the other unplanned and unforeseen problems. One after another. Yet I couldn't show how I was feeling. I was always the dramatic one—the one amongst us who couldn't hide her emotions and would display exactly how it was, leaning on my man's broad shoulders.Not this time. Adonis did his best to hide it, but I could see how shaken he was about losing his memory. He had taken the crown from me. It was my turn to be there for him and support him as he always did me. It was like wearing his suit, too large and heavy, but necessary.I sup
Cara's POVAfter leaving Doctor Bruno's office, I spent the rest of the day stuffing myself in the hospital cafeteria while I waited for Adonis to be done with his examinations.At the end of it all, we left in separate cars, a stark contrast to our arrival. The emotions, the atmosphere, everything down to the littlest details was different.The heavy tension, born of fear for the news we might receive at the hospital, gave way to an awkwardness neither of us wanted to acknowledge.Talking about it meant compromising, which we weren't ready to do. Not he, nor I. It was better that way."I'd be back," Adonis said in a low voice as he drove off with an extra car packed with about five guards behind him. The dark circles underneath his eyes spoke volumes about the stressful poking and prodding he'd endured all day. His usually proud posture had a slight slouch yet I acted oblivious as I was escorted to the other car, surrounded by my guards,"I'll be waiting back at the house." Was my o
Cara's POV The cutlery, halfway to Adonis's lips, fell from his hand at those startling words. Slowly, very slowly, he lifted his gaze, once emotionless, now hard, pinning it on his second-in-command."What the fuck are you talking about?" His voice was deadly calm, yet I felt the chill in them.Luca began to pace, unfazed by his friend's shift in emotion. "My phone had been blowing up with calls and texts from the guys." He ran a hand down his face, a flicker of something that looked like regret crossing it. "I didn't get to check it until a few hours ago, but I dashed to the mansion immediately after I got the news."Adonis narrowed his eyes at him, a brewing storm in them. I could hear his teeth grinding together, the sound clawing at my skin.He was mad! Extremely... mad.The rest of the people in the room were just as shocked as I was. They stared speechless, peering eyes watching the movements of both men. All except for my father, who pushed away his almost empty plate, taking
Cara's POV I watched with worried eyes as Adonis shrugged off the two pairs of supporting arms that prevented him from falling face flat as he found his footing—to my utmost disappointment, he didn't pass out."I'm fine." He grumbled.I was reaching my breaking point. How long could it take a man to lose consciousness?Was his brain truly in control of his body system like all normal humans, or was he the one controlling it?However, my patience was wearing thin, and the limit was soon reached."We should get you admitted." I deadpanned, ready for the disagreement that would spring up."You know my answer to that." He rasped, taking a seat. "I have a few days more to go.""Nothing is likely to change. You heard the bombshell Luca dropped. The symptoms are worsening." My mouth stated points I believed were valid enough to get him to change his mind, but this was Adonis.He was as stubborn as a goat. "All the more reason why I should be home."Despair washed over me. I looked at him,
Cara's POVThere isn't much to say. Literally, there isn't. I'd never been to a theatre to watch a play, but I've read tons of novels where the saying, 'The show must go on' was used. That was the best description of our current situation.Life took unexpected turns, the unusual becoming the new normal... and in my case, the lines between what's real and unreal become distorted, yet we live.Two months have passed since that day... the day the first group of Adonis's men was taken. Since then, more have followed.Now, we're just living like things are normal; life at the mansion was crumbling. Luca barely shows up at my father's home anymore. He calls only when he has important information, and the call is never two-way. Day and night, I'm surrounded by complaints about his unavailability. Even when I tried to reach him, I was met with the same silence.'The number you're trying to call is busy; please try again later'.I think we broke him. Although Cecelia seems to believe the 'w
Cara's POV"So we do not just live for today..." Adonis said, rounding up his speech, "We live for tomorrow, too. People say do not be stuck in the past; we're not. We're just bringing a part of it that we never want to forget." He placed his hand against his heart, the raw pain in his eyes betraying his composed self. "My brother would forever be remembered for his tenacity and courage in the face of trouble. He made this happen." He gestured all around, referring to our family. "And that's why I'll step down with one last word." Adonis's eyes met mine, and I gave him a smile of encouragement. This was the moment—the highlight of his speech. The words we'd been practising for days. He was going to say them..."I love you, Luca Romano. Rest on."The atmosphere was sober, not tearful as I expected, but at the same time, we've all shed a handful of tears during the last few weeks; I didn't think anyone had more in stock.Weeks had passed since the raid, and now, under the Italian sun,
As soon as they filed out of the study, the guard waited till he heard the elevator ding close before slipping out. He immediately dialled Luca's line."Hello? Are you here already? Hold up, I'll meet you at the reception.""No! The mansion is being raided. Diavolo..."Luca, who was already walking out of the waiting room, halted. Oh shit... what perfect timing!"What's going on there?"The guard proceeded to fill him in on everything he had heard, and Luca patiently took them in, some familiar, some new."What did they mean by transfer of ownership?""I do not know. But I think whatever it is, it has to do with Sarah, and they're going to kill her. He already instructed that all the men in the house be killed. What do we do, boss?"That was a question Luca wanted to ask himself. He never noticed any transfer. They were cornered, and walking into that house without a plan was suicide.He glanced back at Miguel, who was whispering harshly over the phone. He had been doing that for a w
Cara's POV As soon as the words left my mouth, all necessary documents were brought to me, and Adonis was wheeled off.Standing in the waiting room while I nearly ran out of my mind felt like a luxury with everything that was going on, and I was somewhat grateful for that.I needed to get to my father, but my phone was broken. Reaching into the bag on the sofa, I pulled out Adonis's phone, which I had intentionally hidden and lied that we left at home, immediately dialling his number.First ring. Second ring. Third ring.The call didn't connect. Who then sent the text that Adonis saw? Perhaps...My finger pressed on his contacts, scrolling through until I settled on the one I had an inkling about. The first ring didn't even complete as the receiver picked up the call."Freddie. What the f*ck is going on? What did you say about Luca?""Cara? Dio, siamo fottuti (god, we're screwed). I don't know what to do." He cried, sending a pang through my heart, but I cleared my throat."What do
Cara's POV"Any news?"Frustrated, I clenched the fabric of my gown to control myself from snapping at my stressor of a husband, gritting out between clenched teeth."No." He stared at me for a second more before turning his face the other way.I began a mental countdown.Three, two, one—"Shouldn't they have reached out by now?""No. No, they shouldn't have." I replied with a tight smile. "It's been barely an hour since they left." "Just an hour?" Adonis breathed heavily, showing how weaker he was getting by the minute. "It feels longer." Yeah. Definitely weaker. The normal Adonis wasn't this talkative."It wouldn't feel that way if you stopped asking. You've asked five times since they left. The phone is on the table." I gestured to my device, which I had placed on a desk I had dragged between the sofa and the bed to prove to him that I wasn't hiding anything when he asked the second time."Look at it. The moment it beeps, you'd know." "Yeah, I would." He murmured. "I just feel
Cara's POVAdonis and I paused, staring at their wide eyes—well, Luca's. The atmosphere immediately switched into one of urgency. "For heaven's sake! Why did he choose to attack now?" I cried out."Because we're occupied at the moment? What better time to strike the sheep than when the shepherd is away?" "What did the men say?""He has over two hundred men with him, and they're heavily armed. I believe it's a takeover. About fifty were ours.""The takeover we've been expecting." My father clarified and I gave him a pointed stare."But everything is set right?""Everything but Adrian's sample.""That shouldn't be a problem, I'll find a way to get close to him and snip one." Luca offered."That isn't necessary. I already did."We all paused, staring at Adonis in surprise. "You... did? When?""Just before I collapsed, remember I fell on him?""Dude... you're crazy," His second-in-command commented. "Hmm... you're very competent." My father supported. "That's settled then. We should le
Cara's POV"Cara." I jerked awake at the sound of my name, blinking away the sleep in my eyes. "You can see him now." Doctor Bruno said. Exhaustion displayed across his face, showing how draining the last few hours had been."He's awake?" I rasped, stifling a yawn. My entire body felt sore from sleeping on the chair.How many hours had it been?Eyeing the big clock on the wall—5am. Thirty-one hours. Sun rays were beginning to stream in from outside lighting up the hallway. This was the second sunrise since Adonis had his...I sighed, pulling myself up when I noticed something odd. Before sleep finally claimed me last night, I was sure there were two men passed out on the chair opposite me. Now I could see just one.My brows knitted in a frown, "Where's my father?""He left to get a cup of coffee. He woke up a while ago." Doctor Bruno replied. My eyes darted to Luca, who still had his head bent, eyes closed, and arms folded over his chest. From the weird position he was in and the
Cara's POVAll through the drive to the hospital, I couldn't stop imagining the what-ifs.What if his case had worsened? What if his case was already beyond the point of recovery? What if he doesn't regain consciousness at all?I didn't know what to expect, and the fact in itself was sickening. Literally speaking.At the hospital, we found my father and Doctor Bruno talking at the reception and were immediately escorted to Adonis's room."What happened? He was fine before I left." I asked, my eyes zeroed in on my husband's unconscious form. "I don't understand either. We stood up to see Diavolo out when fluid suddenly began to leak from his nostrils—My face contorted, "Excuse me, what? Fluid?""I wouldn't say it was sudden. The fluid is from his brain. I believe there's a leak somewhere." Doctor Bruno cut in, "Remember, we have left this untreated for long, so adverse effects like this are bound to occur."My heart skipped a beat. At the end of the day, it was due to Adonis's stub
"To warn you." Was all Cara said, but those three words were enough to get his full attention if it was still divided. "Diavolo's at my father's." Luca leaned forward, clasping his hands in concentration. "The time has come then?" "Yes, it has." She confirmed. Both were speaking in parables... half words. Despite not using complete sentences, they understood each other. "I'm surprised Adonis let you leave the house at all." "He didn't have a choice. My presence there would only cause chaos. It was better for me to be away, believe me." "Still, you could've sent someone. It's not safe for you to be moving around unprotected. Adrian had recruited a lot of people. The threat would be too overwhelming for a mere dozen guards." "I don't have a dozen and have you forgotten what I said?" Cara stressed. "I needed to warn you." "Yeah. From what? Adonis couldn't come himself to do so?" He scoffed, rising to his feet to get his pills. One of the few things he was gratefu
Cara's POV One would think arriving at the mansion I'd missed so much would bring me joy, but it only made my anxiety turn sour.What are the odds that I'd meet Tina at the door just as I was about to walk in?"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in..." she taunted.As usual, I was taken aback; it would take a million years for me to get used to this version of her. She used to be the only reason I looked forward to working at the restaurant... one of the sources of my rarely enjoyed happiness. Now she was... different.She gave me a once-over, her face scrunched up like she was disgusted. "You look fat... I must say. And how is life treating you, now that your rich husband is not so rich? Did you think all your problems would go away when you married him?" Tina laughed mockingly.I eyed her outfit, composed of the latest pieces of Louis Vuitton from her head down to her feet. "Are you sure you're not projecting yourself on me?""Excuse me?""You're the one who changed because you